5 things the Lakers need to do to win the 2021 NBA Championship

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: The Los Angeles Lakers celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2020 NBA Championship Final over the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

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4. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope must opt-in

During his three seasons with the Lakers, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has often been criticized by fans for being somewhat inconsistent.

But this season, he has been consistent throughout, especially with his outside shooting, which is his main asset to the team.

After a wildly-inconsistent 2018-19 campaign, Caldwell-Pope shot 38.5 percent from downtown during the regular season and 37.8 percent during the playoffs.

Although his shooting numbers were poor for most of the championship series, he did average 12.8 points a game against the Miami Heat.

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With Avery Bradley opting out of the restart of the season, Caldwell-Pope started all 21 postseason games for L.A. He was also in the starting lineup for an extended stretch early in the campaign when Bradley was out with a leg injury.

We know the Lakers’ 3-point shooting was somewhat up-and-down throughout the season, and they shouldn’t do anything to make that aspect of their game weaker.

In addition, Caldwell-Pope is an above-average team defender, and he’s a good finisher in transition, which is also valuable, given that the Lakers are a fast-break team.

Keeping him in the fold will also retain some of the great chemistry the team had throughout this season.

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